The Best Proudest Monkey Ever?

[tyler3440]

That 2009 one from alpine is a ripper! I never listened to this show before so that was the first time I heard it. Both carter and Jeff were unbelievable. Dmb turned into 90s dmb for a bit on that one.

[dmbnut21]

This thread title bothers the shit out of me. Why is it not The Proudest Proudest Monkey Ever? What a wasted opportunity.

[hkhund07]

Originally Posted by TwoStep2888

RR95 for me

Ditto.. love the faster pace.


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[rwrusso]

I just can't get on board with LT15 and a PM without Roi. I am not liking Tim on this LT15 version.

[Dannyyankou]

I like LT25 a lot

[space_raven]

6/24/08 - Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA - Live Trax 2008 iTunes compilation

LeRois last Proudest Monkey

1st time it segued into something other than Satellite since '98

http://dmbalmanac.com/TourShowSet.as...=98&where=2008

[haiku.warrior]

I like studio the most

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[rwrusso]

Originally Posted by tyler3440

Not sure about this. The Roi solo on graves was great but Boyd’s solo belonged as well IMO. Especially, early on when he first started soloing on it. Later on in his career some of the solos were pretty rough. With proudest monkey, the Tim and RR solo don’t belong at all. DMB would be so much Better if they simply let Jeff get the most solos. 41, seek up, grey street, crush, PM, SW, and warehouse should be Jeff only. The dude can play when he gets the chance. See lover lay down, YNK, and the stone. People saying that Jeff sucks are dead wrong. It’s the way he’s used in the band that sucks.

I've been listening to 10+ live versions of most songs, spanning all years. DMB songs need sax. Why have Jeff in the band if not to play the sax parts, in place and honor of Roi? I like RR in spots, I like Tim in spots, but there is such a distinct difference in the sound of so many songs that Tim and RR have taken over, where there was once just incredible sax play. It's almost heartbreaking. Maybe it's hard on the band to hear those songs with sax but without Roi up there with them? I don't know. I just know that the only options for a favorite/best PM is with Roi. Don't get me wrong, I love RR's and Tim's solos, on it's own it's a tremendous song. Put up against a version with a Roi solo...it's not even a contest. PM belongs to Roi and the sax.

[rwrusso]

Originally Posted by DMBlunts

I stand corrected, I have literally spent the last 1.5 hours listening to most of the versions we have mentioned here. You could really breakup this song's playing history into different segments (ie. 1990s, slowed down tempo, post-Roi) and in reality that's the best of going about labeling "the best of" because it's changed so much over the years from excellent improv lyrics and mind-melting Roi solos to a slower tempo with no sax solo but often times Tim's best solo work. For this I will just list top 3 for with/post Roi.

With Roi:
1. 12.31.95 - #1 overall. Arguably Roi's best ever solo work, if you haven't heard it, do so now. There is a great link on Youtube.
2. Gorge 2002 - All of the nuances from the band, Fonz doodling, Boyd picking away, Butch laying down a nice cushion for Roi to blast off into space and of course Carter pounding away. Very close to the best ever performance.
3. 6.97.96 - WH Vol 8. 1 - Incredible Roi solo, breathtaking really and Carter is excellent as well. You can't go wrong here with anything from 95/96. RR 95/ LT 4 Richmond 96 are both right there along with the others.

Post Roi:
1. Alpine 2009 -- Excellent Jeff solo a la Roi. A very fitting tribute and reminds you what this song was once upon a time.
2. LT 15 Alpine 2008 -- Possibly Tim's best solo with DMB. Not as meaningful as 8.19.08 but better overall.
3. 12.3.13 -- Hugh Masekela does a great job with the first solo, leading to a climatic Tim and Carter. Link on Youtube.

All of this is strictly my opinion, but I will admit LT 15 is not the best version, probably not Top 10. But post-Roi it is very close to the best and likely would be if not for this special Jeff solo in 2009.

This was the smartest post in this thread.

[rick8285]

WH10v3 version is excellent... 5/30/14

[rwrusso]

Going to listen through the live versions I currently have convenient access to and make a decision on my favorite:

LT12 5/5/1995
LT21 8/4/1995
Live at Red Rocks 8/15/1995
LT5 8/23/1995
LT23 D&T 2/19/1996
LT4 4/30/1996
LT18 6/4/1996
Warehouse 5 Vol 4 6/7/1996
The Gorge 9/6/2002
LT6 7/7/2006
Live Trax 2008 6/24/2008
Live at Mile High Music Festival 7/20/2008
LT15 8/9/2008
Live in New York City 7/17/2010
LT27 10/14/2010

Starting out, these 1995 versions are just so good. One interesting thing I'll be listening for: if there any live versions with the guitar solo like the 2:00-2:45 section of the studio recording. And yes, the studio cut is a perfect PM. There are great live versions, but it's really not close. Possibly their best studio track.

Also of interesting note: LT21 from 1995 has the faster tempo than the studio version. Great version and a great sound quality recording. Some of the LT releases don't have the best audio compared side by side.

[rwrusso]

Originally Posted by burnedpig

I've always loved Boyd's sound on 5/5/95 (LT 11).

I don't know if the producer made sure to turn him up on that or if his sound was just more up front then; but it's absolutely gorgeous.

Not saying this is a "best" version, especially since it's a shell of what it will become; but I always find myself wanting Boyd like this on other versions.

This is LT12, and agreed...I would have loved for PM to have kept Boyd's part. Perfect fit for this song, and still plenty of opportunity for the Roi solo later on.

[kenticus]

Originally Posted by rwrusso

I've been listening to 10+ live versions of most songs, spanning all years. DMB songs need sax. Why have Jeff in the band if not to play the sax parts, in place and honor of Roi? I like RR in spots, I like Tim in spots, but there is such a distinct difference in the sound of so many songs that Tim and RR have taken over, where there was once just incredible sax play. It's almost heartbreaking. Maybe it's hard on the band to hear those songs with sax but without Roi up there with them? I don't know. I just know that the only options for a favorite/best PM is with Roi. Don't get me wrong, I love RR's and Tim's solos, on it's own it's a tremendous song. Put up against a version with a Roi solo...it's not even a contest. PM belongs to Roi and the sax.

I tend to agree re: the need for more sax and letting Jeff rip it up. I say this as a guy who loves Tim and what he does. With boyd leaving, was curious who would take over his solos, and while I love Tim, wish Jeff would take more of them. Even before boyd left, the reduction in Jeff solos over years I wasn’t a fan (ie outright dropping the #41 solo, increasingly featuring RR/Tim more than Jeff in the jam section of Crush, trade off soloing with RR for grey street, etc).

In any event, as a more fan of latter DMB, PM from LT2008, LT15 are faves of mine. 2008 DMB was a fascinating time for the band if only for the dropping of keys, adding Tim, the touring both with Leroi and after his untimely death, Jeff.....band was v interesting.

[jwehaeDMB]

Warehouse 8 Vol. 1

LT 18


My two picks

[dancheatham]

studio cut

[Gjimmy]

Originally Posted by dancheatham

studio cut

Yep. This is the best one.

[#34Stickyfinger]

The most proudest bestest ever is with Hugh Masakela on the video they released during the South Africa run... The party where he talks about the cow and the monkey makes me laugh everytime.

[Cptn. Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by haiku.warrior

I like studio the most

Originally Posted by jwehaeDMB

Warehouse 8 Vol. 1

LT 18

My two picks

I agree with both of these. The studio version is one of their best songs. But this song is also so good live. My favorite live version is Warheouse 8 vol. 1 and LT18 from a couple days prior is second. Roi is fantastic on both, but Dave’s Shock the Monkey lyrics give 6.7.96 the slight edge over 6.4.96 for me.

[tyler3440]

I’d say live trax 18 is pretty good. Then alpine 2009

[cgo34364041]

in true 2020 fashion i will read none of the thread, make all opinions based on the title of said thread and then share my opinion which i will assume is the only right opinion -
only proudest monkey's with Leroi can be considered for best off, anything after Leroi is just good, not great.. but the best ever... 12/31/95

[dgmetzen]

Anybody know which release proudest monkey is on where Dave does a rant about politicians having a cup of coffee and shitting in the woods. They ain't better than I am. Love that version but can't find it

[sean52692]

Originally Posted by dgmetzen

Anybody know which release proudest monkey is on where Dave does a rant about politicians having a cup of coffee and shitting in the woods. They ain't better than I am. Love that version but can't find it

6/7/96, released on a Warehouse disc.

[TheStone91]

Originally Posted by #34Stickyfinger

The most proudest bestest ever is with Hugh Masakela on the video they released during the South Africa run... The party where he talks about the cow and the monkey makes me laugh everytime.

Yea, this. Video of said version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmODnes2XU

[Gunz]

6/7/96 sh1ttin in the woods

[ToySoldier#34]

Proudest Monkey shouldn't "rip"

[dgmetzen]

can you stream proudest monkey from 6/7/96 anywhere. Can't get it on spotify

[Aforauer]

I always go back to Gorge 2002. Love that one


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[JZ4140]

Originally Posted by Aforauer

I always go back to Gorge 2002. Love that one


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+1. Such stellar Roi.